What's Happening to my Cowfish?

FishFinatic ;) · Mar 4, 2019

I recently just bought a long horn cowfish and he seemed to be doing great. I checked on him this morning and his right eye is clouded and he seems off. I'm not sure what's happening to him but the water levels are fine and I'm not sure what's going on. I am currently freaking out and I'm not sure if he is okay or not, I don't want to lose him. Can someone tell me what's going on??

Scurvy · Mar 4, 2019

Got to grab a few pics and Im sure someone will be able to help.

AcroNem · Mar 4, 2019

Yes, pictures are very helpful, and we'll do our best to diagnose

FishFinatic ;) · Mar 4, 2019

So sorry for the crappy pictures... fish are hard to photograph and my phone doesn't necessarily want to work right now

FishFinatic ;) · Mar 4, 2019

He seems to be moving around fairly well but I'm so worried about his eye... and I can't tell if it's one eye or both.... so I'm super concerned

FishFinatic ;) · Mar 4, 2019

Anyone have any thoughts?

Scurvy · Mar 4, 2019

Not really in my wheel house but #reefsquad should be able to advise.

BellaCoop · Mar 4, 2019

This is kinda a stretch but in my predator tank my Porkie Pine Puffers Eyes got cloudy from bumping into the glass. That may have something to do with it. Not very sure though.

I also got him a little blind and now he is pretty much completely blind. But he is my special little fish.. A pain to feed but he is awesome.

AcroNem · Mar 4, 2019

Flukes, bacterial infection, injury, and other parasites can cause cloudy eyes. It's hard to tell in pics if there are any other things on it.

Liron Mishal · Mar 4, 2019

Looks like bacterial infection to me.
I'm not sure if these type of fish are sensitive to meds,
But I would start treating with kanaplex at a qt.

ngoodermuth · Mar 4, 2019

Usually, with injury it will only be one eye. Both eyes is generally infection, though often secondary to flukes. Normally, I'd suggest a freshwater dip to confirm/rule out flukes... but I feel like I've heard/read that cowfish can be sensitive? Maybe someone can confirm?

In that case, preventative treatment for flukes via prazipro or general cure, and 10 days of a wide-spectrum antibiotic, would be my suggestion.

Big G · Mar 4, 2019

Erythromycin aka Maracyn 1 (not Maracyn 2) works really well on eye infections.

FishFinatic ;) · Mar 4, 2019

ngoodermuth said:
Usually, with injury it will only be one eye. Both eyes is generally infection, though often secondary to flukes. Normally, I'd suggest a freshwater dip to confirm/rule out flukes... but I feel like I've heard/read that cowfish can be sensitive? Maybe someone can confirm?

In that case, preventative treatment for flukes via prazipro or general cure, and 10 days of a wide-spectrum antibiotic, would be my suggestion.

How would I do a freshwater dip to test for flukes? I've heard of it just not sure how to go about it...

Big G · Mar 4, 2019

FishFinatic ;) said:
How would I do a freshwater dip to test for flukes? I've heard of it just not sure how to go about it...

Here's a great video on how to properly do a freshwater dip: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/video-how-to-do-a-freshwater-dip.286639/#post-3487082

FishFinatic ;) · Mar 4, 2019

Okay! Thank you! And my cowfish thanks you too!

Billdogg · Mar 4, 2019

I would agree that if it is just the one eye them it is almost certainly an injury. They are not very strong swimmers and can easily get blown int the rocks or glass. If that's the case, leave it alone and it should get better in a few days to a week or so.

If it is both eyes, then my first guess would be a bacterial infection best treated in a hospital tank with the appropriate medications.